The Portland daily press., 1887-02-23
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Feb. %.
The presiding officer presented a commun-
lea Ion from the Secretary OF the Interior in
rep to resolution inquiring as to any rule
in the pension office denying hearing to the
denominations and the issues Of GER
tifcates.
Mr. Beck said that the adverse report was
by bare majority of the committee and he
gave notice that he would call it up at an
early day.
The presiding officer presented the follow
ing:
To the Senate of the United States:
Senators-My Office as president pro
tempore Of the Senate will necessarily ter
inmate on the 4th of March next, with my
present term as Senator. 1t will promote the
convenience of the Senate and the public SER
vice to elect Senator as president pro
tempore whose term extends beyond that
date, so that he may administer the oath of
Office to Senat0rs-elect, and aid in the organ
ization. therefore respectfully resign that
position, to take effect at one o'clock on Sat-
urday next, Feb. 26. Permit me in doing so
to express my heartfelt thanks for the uni
form courtesy and forbearance shown while
in the discharge of my duties as presiding
officer by every member Of the Senate.
Very truly yours.
JOHN SHERMAN.
The communication was ordered to be en-
tered in the journal and placed on file.
The resolution heretofore offered by Mr.
Platt, authorizing the select committee on
llduCIoulpo W lake LtSll1QOQY uuTlQK
recess was adopted.
Mr.. Riddleberger offered a resolution for
the publication OF all papers and documents
on the Senate files relating to the rejection
Of the nomination of James @. Matthews, as
recorder of deeds for the, District Of Colun-
bia. Adopted. ee
The Senate then at 2.15 O'Clock, proceeded
to the consideration of the bill making an
appropriation for the expenses of the gov
ernment of the District of Columbia. 1t was
nQacad yvifhnnt auandmQnf a M duicinu
The bill making appropriations for the
Military Academy was passed.
The bill to create department of agricul-
ture having been taken up, Mr.. Mcpherson
resolution to investigate the Pacific railroads
be taken up. Defeated, yeas, %; NAYS,
80.
After discussion as to the order of busi-
ness, participated in by Messrs. Miller, Van
Wyck, Mcpherson and Hoar, Mr.. Edmunds
| said that the Pacific railroad resolution, as
| it came from the House. was calculated (he
would not say designed) to prevent getting
| forward with the business of the Pacific
railroad in definite and decisive way. II
was calculated to do precisely what the rail
road companies df they. did not want. the
matter determined decisively) would have
| wished No matter what the old transac-
| tions and investigation might bring out, nor
| how bad they were, that would be of no pos
sible consequence 70 tne matter In hand:
| enlarge the powers and duties Of the depart
ment Of agriculture and to create an execu.
tive department to be known as the depart
ment Of agriculture and labor. Mr.. Miller
explained and advocated 1t.
The bill went over as unfinished busi-
| ness
The House amendments to the sundry civ
| il bill were disagreed TO in bulk and confer.
| ence asked. Senators Allison, Hale, and
Beck were appointed conferres
The Senate at SO2 wenT into secret